Charlie Wilson Energizes The Theatre at MGM National Harbor with an "Outstanding" Performance

Last night Charlie Wilson and his amazing band and dancers performed at the Theatre at MGM National Harbor. They set fire to the stage for an amazing 1 hour and 45 minute show that left the pumped up, enthusiastic crowd wanting more! It seems that shows at the Theatre at MGM have to end at 10PM, or Charlie would have undoubtedly kept the party going well past that.

Charlie Wilson is 68 years young, but you would be hard pressed to tell from his energy and (still) amazing singing voice. He sounds exactly like he did when I first heard him as part of the legendary GAP Band back in the late 1970s. The GAP band stands for Greenwood, Archer and Pine Streets in Tulsa, OK where Charlie and his two brothers (Ronnie and Robert – who passed away in 2010) grew up.

The GAP Band produced many hits during their prime years (late 1970s to mid 1980s), including Early In The Morning, Burn Rubber, You Dropped A Bomb On Me, Party Train, Humpin’, Yearning For Your Love, and (my personal favorite), Outstanding.

Charlie and the band performed some of those hits last night along with some of his more recent hits, recorded after he embarked upon his solo career in the early 2000s. Wilson’s story is one of redemption, as he was a self professed alcoholic and drug addict before turning his life and career around. While singing the powerful song Blessed near the end of the show, he mentioned that he has been sober for 27 years now! He also is a prostate cancer survivor. The fact that he is able to sing and perform at such a high level after what he has gone through is truly amazing!

Charlie was joined on stage by a talented and versatile band, three stellar background singers, and five exciting and talented dancers.

Charlie started off the show with the high energy GAP Band song Party Train, which showcased him joining his dancers, and he definitely held his own as he danced with them. He also set the tone for the whole show by letting the crowd know he expected them to participate and as he tends to draw his energy from the crowd. Next up was Early In The Morning before Charlie and the band performed their version of Snoop Dog’s Beautiful. Next, Charlie sang the ballads Forever Valentine (written for him by Bruno Mars), Chills and All Of My Love. Charlie then took a short break to change while the band performed a rendition of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles’ Ooh, Baby Baby (which included a nice solo by the saxophone player).

Charlie and the Band then came back with the GAP Band hits Burn Rubber,Humpin’ (with Charlie and his dancers sporting glow in the dark apparel – a very nice touch), and a version of Roger’s Doo Wa Ditty. Charlie then really engaged the audience when he performed his huge solo hit, Charlie, Last Name Wilson as he implored the men in the audience to sing the song to their significant others (the crowd had fun with it as well). Wilson finished this portion of the show with One I Got and There Goes My Baby before exiting to change. The band didn’t lose a step, performing Frankie Beverly and Maze’s Before I Let Go to the delight of the crowd.

Charlie returned for the home stretch of the show and performed the ballad Without You before the GAP Band mega-hit Yearning For Your Love. He then put a little reggae twist on Roger’s I Want To Be Your Man. Wilson wrapped up a stellar performance with the very popular You Are (a wedding favorite) followed by Blessed and my personal GAP Band favorite, Outstanding.

I would highly recommend if Charlie Wilson comes to your city that you check him out! His voice is timeless and still amazing, his band is very talented and he gives them opportunities to shine. He also has five talented ladies who dance with him, and that definitely adds to the quality and excitement of the show. Finally, Charlie did a great job with the set list as he mixed in his solo hits with the classic GAP Band songs all of his fans love.

Set List